The RSPB Centre for Conservation Science is responsible for the science that informs delivery of the RSPB’s conservation programmes for inspirational species, ecosystems and landscapes. If you would like to be part of a large, dynamic and enthusiastic team of scientists and are keen to use your science to inform policy and practice, particularly in relation to balancing offshore wind farm development and seabird conservation, this could be the job for you. This is a 3-year post in the first instance; we hope the successful candidate would work with us to bring in funding to enable extension beyond this period.

What's the role about?

We seek an experienced marine ornithologist with expertise in seabird tracking, the ecological impacts of offshore wind development, and/or the planning and assessment process. You will lead strategic research and scientific advice on offshore wind in collaboration with existing senior scientists, planning, legal and policy staff. You will provide scientific input to a team exploring how to deliver strategic and ecologically meaningful measures for nature to counter any negative impacts of development. You will lead funding applications and project management for work addressing gaps in the evidence base relating to offshore wind farms and seabirds.

Supported by and in discussion with other members of the science team, you will be responsible for overseeing scientific work programmes. You will work in partnership with industry, other NGOs, government agencies and academics, to conceive, design, plan and fundraise for innovative and complex scientific projects that withstand external peer-review.

You will engage with strategic groups influencing nationwide and international plans for offshore wind to ensure that decisions are based on the best available evidence. You will work with industry and government stakeholders to ensure that strategic research is prioritised that will improve the evidence base regarding impacts on seabirds, and potential measures to reduce and offset impacts, enabling better decision-making in the future. You will also manage the provision of scientific advice on offshore wind planning policy and casework. The latter may involve engagement in all stages of the assessment process from scoping, through assessment to post-consent monitoring, including acting as the RSPB’s expert witness at public inquiries.

This work is vital to ensure an evidence-led approach to the RSPB’s aspirations for a sustainable energy transition, addressing the nature and climate emergencies.

What we need from you:

Essential

• PhD in a relevant subject, or equivalent experience, and extensive post-doctoral level experience working as a scientist.
• Good understanding of conservation issues and practice in the UK and internationally, of species ecology and ecological principles, gained through experience of taking primary responsibility for the management of scientific projects.
• Broad knowledge of the appropriate data collection and specialist analytical methods in relation to understanding seabird distributions and behaviours at sea, and ability to develop new methods.
• Good knowledge of current scientific issues and challenges that are relevant to seabird conservation and offshore wind development, and how to assess their implications for RSPB strategy. Able to provide strategic leadership and guidance on these scientific areas for the organisation.
• National or internationally-recognised expert in, for example, marine ornithology, offshore wind farm impact assessment, or seabird tracking.
• Demonstrable track record of scientific publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Able to work cooperatively to pursue and win external funding for scientific projects.
• Able to effectively manage several projects and staff and their work simultaneously and to work efficiently and cooperatively to meet deadlines, with the autonomy to prioritise their own work.
• Confident and capable of being a public face for RSPB science with the media. Able to speak about science to varied audiences including industry stakeholders, academics, policy/decision makers, the general public, RSPB groups, or as an expert witness in a public inquiry.
•  Able to work in collaboration with external organisations on sometimes challenging and confrontational issues. Strong interpersonal skills and the empathy and adaptability to quickly understand different points of view and agree cooperative, mutually beneficial solutions.
• Able to provide lead scientific input to policy positions and project development at a senior level. Ability to influence others, including government, to change sometimes ingrained environmental and conservation practice and policy according to new scientific findings.
• Able to train and coach others in scientific techniques and to ensure the health and safety of staff and volunteers in sometimes demanding field conditions, such as cliff-nesting seabird colonies.

Additional Information

This is a 3 Year Fixed-Term role for 37.5 hours per week. However, we welcome applications from qualified candidates seeking a part-time position.

The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

Interviews - End of June, and are very willing to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate specific needs.

For further information please contact richard.gregory@rspb.org.uk / lucy.wright@rspb.org.uk

You will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

This role would be eligible for sponsorship. The RSPB will not cover the cost of the visa application, nor the NHS surcharge that international workers would have to pay.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert